Thousands attend Saratoga Comic Con’s spring show Saturday and Sunday

Cosplay and charity group Montreal X-Men striking a pose at Saratoga Comic Con on Sunday at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
LAUREN HALLIGAN LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.>> Thousands gathered over the weekend at the area’s own Saratoga Comic Con spring show, a convention for all comic, gaming, anime and sci-fi enthusiasts.

The two day event, held Saturday and Sunday at the Saratoga Springs City Center, drew about 4,200 attendees. A large portion of them were cosplayers, who came in costume as their favorite comic book and fictional characters.

Alexander Wardell, a 17-year-old from Saratoga Springs, spent weeks working on his costume of Juzzou Suzuya, from the series Tokyo Ghoul. Wardell wore this outfit, complete with a large foam scythe, both days of the festival. Wardell had been to other out-of-state comic cons, but this was his first time at the local event.

“I think this is probably one of my favorite ones so far,” he said. “I love everything.”

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Vendor Chelsea Von Chastity, who goes to many comic cons across the country, said “Every con I go to is my favorite con to be at. It really is true. No matter if you’re going to a large con or a small con, the passion that people put into their costumes is really, really evident.”

“We got to see a wide range of different fandoms,” she said. “It’s really cool to see the amount of detail work that they put into something that they really are passionate about.”

The contest winner was a person portraying an anime character called Kindred.

Saratoga Comic Con, presented by Chase Con, was founded by Saratoga County resident Samuel Chase in 2014. Chase had been to comic cons elsewhere and decided to create one in his own back yard. Now, they happen twice each year at the Saratoga Springs City Center, one in the spring and one in the fall. Chase’s goal at each convention is to create “a family-friendly, fun environment” for his guests, he said.

Since the first Saratoga Comic Con in 2014, attendance numbers have doubled.

“I’m always looking to get bigger and bigger and bigger,” Chase said.

One way to do that is by bringing special sights and stars to Saratoga Comic Con.

Some of the biggest attractions at this Saratoga Comic Con were a 1966 Batmobile and guest star Brian O’Halloran of the popular Kevin Smith movie Clerks. “I’ve been to Saratoga before, but this is a first time I’ve done a comic con here,” said O’Halloran, who lives in New York City. “Samuel’s been really great and accommodating and he’s put together a good mix of vendors and comic book artists, wrestling guests and entertainment guests. It’s a good sized show.”

Planning will begin soon for the next Saratoga Comic Con, scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.